Football training machine



March 13, 1956 v w. F. KALHOEFER 2,738,191

FOOTBALL TRAINING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29. 1952 2 Shuts-Sheet 1 Walter F. Kalhoefer INVENTOR.

L BY QM W W March 1956 w. F. KALHOEFER FOOTBALL TRAINING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1952 I LIIIIIHI hIIHIIHL Walter E Kalhoefer INVENTOR.

BY W

United States Patent FOOTBALL TRAINING MACHINE Walter F. Kalhoefer, South Houston, Tex., assignor of fifty per cent to Lewis R. Van Sant, Houston, Tex.

Application January 29, 1952, Serial No. 268,776

5 Claims. .(Cl. 2713-55) This invention relates generally to a football practice dummy, and more particularly to a football dummy which is attached to a football training machine.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a football training machine which is designed primarily to .develop the leg and body muscles of the football player, and to aid in teaching him the technique of blocking.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved football machine .having amovable carriage which is provided with shock-absorbing means for resisting rebound of same.

Another object of this invention .is to provide an improved football training machine which is rigidly secured 2,738,191 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 ing the construction of the means for indicating the force exerted upon the carriage, parts being broken away and shown in section in order to illustrate the interior of the indicating means;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the means for indicating force exerted upon the carriage and showing the details of the force indicating scale;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the portion of the means for indicating the force exerted upon the carriage as illustrated in Figure 6 and showing the means for moving a pointer which indicates the amount of force applied; and,

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of Figure 5 and showing the construction of the pointer means of the force indicating mechanism.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical elements or portions throughout the specification and throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, this invention 7 includes front and'rear standards 1! and 12, respectively,

to ground engaging "means, and is vertically adjustable with respect to the ground.

Another object of this invention is to provide'a football training machine having a pair of spaced parallel padded shoulder engaging members whereby the padded shoulder engaging members may be engaged by the shoulders of a football player with his head in between the shoulder engaging means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved football training machine having both shoulder engaging means and grip means for the hands of a football player whereby both the arms and legs of the football player may be conditioned.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved football training machine having grips which are adjustable to fit the football player grasping same.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for indicating the force exerted upon a football training machine by a football player when engaging same.

With these objects definitely in'view, this invention re sides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elements'and portions which will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form amaterial part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of the football training machine, which is the subject of this invention, alternative positions of the grasping :means being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 2 'is a side elevational view of the football training machine o'f'Figure l, the shifted position ofit'he padded means and the parts of the shock-absorbing means being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicatedfbythe sectionl'ine which are secured in concrete blocks 14 in the ground 16. Telescoped over the standards it and 12 are front and rear support members 18 and 20, respectively, which are secured to the standards in vertically adjusted relation. Rigidly secured to and carried by the upper ends of the supports 18 and 20 are a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed rails 22 and 24.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that slidably mounted on the rails 22 and 24 is a carriage which will be referred to generally by the reference nume ral 26. The carriage 26 includes a longitudinally extending central main frame member 28 which is secured at its ends to transversely extending front and rear crossframe members 30 and 32, respectively. Extending between the central frame member 28 and the cross-frame members 30 and 32 are braces 34- and 36, respectively.

Rigidly secured to the upper portion of and extending outwardly from the ends of the cross-member 30 are a pair of axle members 38 on which are rotatably mounted rollers 40. The rollers 40engage the upper surfaces of the rails 22 and 24 and support the front end of the carriage 26 in relation thereto.

Rigidly secured to and extending from the ends of the rear cross-frame member 32 as an extension thereof are axles '42 on which are rotatably mounted rollers 44. The rollers 44 are secured on the axles 42 by nuts 46, and have concave shaped circumferential portions which closelyengage the upper surfaces of the rails 22 and 24. Also extending outwardly of the ends of the rear cross-frame member 32 are generally L-shaped axles 48 which are secured to the sides of the rear cross-frame member 32. Rotatably mounted on the generally L-shaped axles 43 are rollers 50 for engaging the underside of the rails Y22 and 24. Referring to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that the axles 48 are provided in pairs at each end of the rear cross-frame member 32 and that the wheels 50 are on opposite sides of a vertical line through the center of the axle 42. Since the rollers 44- engage the upper surface of the rails 22 and 24,and the rollers 50 engage the under surfaces of the rails, it will be readily apparent mounting brackets 52. Each mounting bracket 52 consists of a pair of spaced parallel arcuate side members 54 which extend to an angle of substantially ninety degreesand are secured to the rear cross-frame member 32. Extending between and secured to the arcuate side members .54 are a plurality of U-shaped strap members 3 56. Extending between the innermost side member 54 and one of the braces 36 is a vertical brace 58 which is secured to the innermost side frame member 54 adjacent its forward end. Rigidly secured within the pair of brackets 52 are a pair of torus-shaped members 68 which may readily be in the form of old automobile tires with inflated tubes therein and mounted on rims (not shown). if tires are utilized, they are well padded with foam rubher or other suitable padding and covered with canvas in order to provide shoulder engaging blocking dummies.

Secured to the upper surface of the rear cross-frame member 32 adjacent the mounting brackets 52, but exteriorly thereof are a pair of standards 62 having reduced upper portions 64. Rotatably mounted on the upper reduced portions of the vertical standards 62 are U- shaped grip members 66 having flattened ends 68 which are rotatably journaled on the reduced portions 64. Also receded over the reduced portions 64 are spacer sleeves 78 extended between the flattened ends 68. The U-shaped grip portions 66 are secured on the reduced upper portions 64 of the vertical standards 62 by nuts 72 threadeclly engaged thereon. if it is so desired, the spacer 78 may be secured to the flattened ends 68 to provide additional stability to the U-shaped grip portions 66, and provide a larger bearing area between the reduced upper portion 64 and the attaching means for the U- shaped grip portions.

Rigidly secured to the rear cross-frame member 32 adjacent the connections between the vertical standards 62 and the cross-frame member 32) are a pair of shockabsorbers '74. Referring to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that carried by the lower portions by the U- shaped grip portions 66 are operating arms 76 of the shock absorbers "/4. The arms 76 are secured to the U- shaped grip portions 66 by bolts 78 to which are also connected springs 88 which extend between the U-shaped grip portions 66 and the mounting brackets 52. As viewed in Figure 1, when outward rotatable pressure is applied to the grip portions 66, outwardly pivoting of the grip portions will be resisted by the springs 80. However, sufficient pressure will pivot the U-shaped grip portions to the dotted line positions shown in Figure 1. The primary function of the shock absorbers 74 is to allow the slow return of the U-shaped grip portions 66 to their original position as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that secured to the forward supports 18 are T-shaped fittings 82 which secure forward extending horizontal arms 84 to the front supports 18. Carried by the arms 84 forwardly of the ends of the rails 22 and 24 are shock absorbers 86. The shock absorbers 86 are provided with an actuating arm 88 which is rotatable under pressure. The operation of the shock absorbers 86 will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the rear ends of the rails 22 and 24 are provided with closed cap members 98 secured thereto. Both of the rails are hollow and have received therein shock absorbing means. The rails 22 and 24 are substantially identical and therefore only the rail 22 will be described. The rail 22 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite elongated horizontal slots 92 adjacent the rear end thereof. Slidably carried in the slots 92 is a bar 94 extending therethrough. The rail 22 is also provided at its forward end with an elongated horizontally disposed slot 96 on the inner side onlyv Slidably received in the elongated slot 96 is a flat extension 98 of the front cross member 38. Extending between the bar 94 and the rear end of the cap 98 is a threaded bolt 188, which is threadedly engaged Within the cap 98. The caps 90 are secured to the rails 22 and 24 by the threaded bolts 100 and are free to rotate when manually turned. Carried by the flattened extension 98 is a rearwardly extending rod 102 to which is attached a coil spring 104 which has its rear end secured to the bar 94. Extending forwardly from the flab tened portion 98 is a cable 106 secured to the arm 88 of the shock absorber 86. By turning the caps the tension in springs 104 may be varied.

It will be readily apparent that when pressure is applied to the rear of the torus-shaped member 60 and the grip portion 66, that the carriage 26 will be moved forwardly along the rails 22 and 24. The forward movement of the carriage 26 will result in the forward sliding of the flat extension 98 within the rail 22 with the forward motion of the fiat extension 98 also resisted by the coil springs 194. it is readily seen that the pressure required to move the carriage 26 forward a certain distance may be varied by varying the coil springs. The forward movement of the flat extensions 98 permits the cable 106 and the arm 88 of the shock absorber to move forward. Rearward movement of the carriage 26 is retarded by the action of the shock absorber 86.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, in particular, it will be seen that rigidly secured to the rear end of the rail 24 is a rearwardly extending horizontal arm 188 which is sccured to the rail 24 by a strap member 118. T he rear end of the arm 108 is provided with a ninety degree elbow 112 in which is threadedly secured a first vertical pipe section 114. An intermediate section of pipe 116 is sccured to the upper end of the first section of pipe 114 by a reducer 118, and an upper section of pipe 128 is secured to the intermediate section 116 by a second reducer 122. The upper end of the upper section of pipe 120 is closed with a cap 124. Slidably secured in the pipe sections 114, 116 and 128 is a vertically extending rod 126, the upper end of which is urged toward the cap 124 by a coil spring 128 secured to the cap and the upper end of the rod 126. Secured to the lower end of the rod 126 and extending over a pulley 138 mounted in the elbow 112 is a cable 132. The forward end of the cable 132 is secured to an eye member 134 secured to the rear cross-frame member 32. The rod 126 is provided atjacent its lower end with a guide member 136 for engaging the inner surface of the first pipe section The rod 126 is also provided with a second guide 138 secured intermediate the ends of the rod and engaging the inner surface of the first pipe section 114 adjacent its upper end. Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 in particular, it will be seen that the guide 138 is adjustably secured to the rod 126 and also acts as a stop collar member. The guide 138 is provided with a lock screw 140 for maintaining its position on the rod 126. Carried by the upper end of the intermediate pipe section 116 is a fixed guide member 142 which is secured to the pipe section 16 by a screw 144. The combination guide collar 1238 ed gages the underside of the guide 142 to limit upward motion of the rod 126 in response to the urging of the coil spring 128.

The intermediate pipe section 116 is provided with a longitudinally extending elongated slot 146 in which is slidably mounted an indicator plate 148. The indicator plate 148 is secured to a block 150 disposed within the pipe section 116 and has pins 152 passing through apertures in the indicator plate 148. Passing through a centrally disposed aperture of the indicator plate 143, through the elongated slot 146 and threadedly secured in the block 150 is a stud 154. Carried by the stud 154 is a coil spring 156 which is maintained in compressive engagement with the indicator plate 148 by a nut 158 on the outer end of the stud 154. It will be readily seen that by adjusting the coil spring 156, that the friction between the indicator plate 148 and the pipe section 114 may be varied. The pipe section 116 is provided with indicia in the form of a scale, and the indicator plate 148 is provided with a pair of opposite indicator points 160.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that when the carriage 26 is moved forward along the rails 22 and 24, that the cable 132 is forwardly pulled which results in the downward movement of the rod 126. As

the rod 126 moves downwardly, the collar 138 engages the block 150 and moves the indicator plate 148 downwardly. As the pressure on the carriage 26 diminishes, the carriage again moves to a rearward position and the rod 126 and the collar 138 move upwardly due to the urging of the coil spring 128. However, the indicator plate 148 remains in its indicating position due to the friction between it and the intermediate pipe section otally carried by said carriage adjacent said pads, said hand grips being resiliently urged to normal positions longitudinally of said carriage.

3. A football training machine comprising a pair of spaced tubular rails, a carriage mounted on said rails for movement therealong, said carriage being provided with means for engagement by a football player, elongated spring restraining members disposed Within said rails, one

116. The maximum pressure applied to the carriage 26 by the football player is indicated by the indicator points 160 on the scale marked on the intermediate pipe section 116. Before pressure is again applied to the carriage 26, the indicator plate 148 is moved upwardly until its indicating points 160 are at their zero position.

In order that the machine may be utilized by football players of different heights, the standards 10 and 12 and the supports 18 and 20 are provided with a plurality of transverse apertures, and the supports are secured in vertical adjusted relation to the standards by a plurality of bolts 162 passing through the aligned apertures.

The operation of this machine will be understood from the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the above recited objects and the drawings. Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

Minor modification of the machine, varying in minor details from the embodiment of the machine illustrated and described here, may be resorted to without departure from the spirit and the scope of this invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A football training machine comprising a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for movement therealong, said carriage being provided withmeans for engagement by a football player, restraining means carried by said trackway urging said carriage to a normal position, shock absorbing means connected to said restraining means to slow returning of said carriage to said normal position, said engagement means including a pair of spaced shoulder engageable pads, and hand grips pivotally carried by said carriage adjacent said pads.

2. A football training machine comprising a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for movement therealong, said carriage being provided with means for engagement by a football player, restraining means carried by said trackway urging said carriage to a normal position, shock absorbing means connected to said restraining means to slow returning of said carriage to said normal position, said engagement means including a pair of spaced shoulder engageable pads, and hand grips pivend of each spring member being anchored, the other end of each spring member being connected to said carriage for restraining movement thereon and returning the same to its normal position, shock absorbing means disposed at one end of each rail externally thereof and operatively connected to associated spring members, force indicating means carried at an opposite end of one of said rails and operatively connected to said carriage for indicating a force exerted thereon.

4. In a football training device including a carriage, means for engagement by a player for exerting a force on the carriage, said engagement means including a pair of spaced shoulder engageable pads, and hand grips pivotally carried by said carriage adjacent said pads, said hand grips being resiliently urged to normal positions longitudinally of said carriage.

5. A football training machine comprising an elongated trackway including a pair of spaced tubular rails, a carriage mounted on said trackway for movement therealong, said carriage having rollers mounted on said rails, said carriage having a portion thereof projecting into one of said rails, an extensible spring member mounted within said one rail, said spring member having one end thereof restrained, the other end of said spring member being operatively connected to said portion to urge said carriage to a normal position, an end of said one rail remote from said spring member being open, a connector passing through said open end and having one end thereof terminally connected to said portion, a shock absorber mounted adjacent said connector, said connector being operatively connected to said shock absorber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 671,559 Lindstrom April 9, 1901 694,226 Yancey Feb. 25, 1902 1,426,115 Shultz Aug. 15, 1922 1,884,392 Treat Oct. 25, 1932 2,183,465 Noor Dec. 12, 1939 2,237,600 Gilman Apr. 8, 1941 2,440,577 Denby Apr. 27, 1948 

